Moree Plains Shire Council will fund an additional $2.9 million towards increased construction costs on the Ashley Water Supply Scheme.
Councillors agreed to the allocation at the final meeting for 2022, pending consultation with the community and a further report to be brought back to the chamber next month.
The money would be borrowed to be put towards the project which will introduce a potable water supply to Ashley.
Once up and running, properties would be able to connect to the water supply for domestic use.
Council has aimed to have the water supply project finished by late 2025.
A group of Ashley residents addressed the meeting, speaking in favour of the project. There was also broad support from councillors.
Initial funding for the scheme was sourced from the NSW government, with additional contributions from council.
While there was broad support from councillors for a need for potable water in Ashley and the supply project, many sought further clarification around the financial implications of additional spending on the project.
Funding for a water project in Ashley was initially to sink bores, however, the project has developed into the construction of a pipeline from Moree to the town to ensure has adequate water supply.
Cr Greg Smith sought clarification about the Moree South project and the possibility of that project running under budget.
He queried what would happen to surplus funds in that situation.
“I fully support Ashley and getting it done,” he said.
“We also have to be fully aware of the financial implications.”
Cr Michael Montgomery AM moved the motion with the addition of community consultation and a further report being brought back to the chamber.
“We need to commit to the people of Ashley that this is where we are heading,” he said.
“We need to let the people know … who would ultimately become water ratepayers … that we are intending to move ahead with this project should there be support from that local community and continued support from the NSW government in funding.”
Deputy mayor Susannah Pearse also spoke in favour of the project, and its potential to help ease the housing crisis in Moree Plains Shire by opening up Ashley to further development.
“Growth in this region is entirely dependent on water,” she said.
“I think Ashley does represent a significant opportunity to meet some of the housing demands that we have in the shire.
“Every ratepayer does need to be consulted on this.”
Earlier in the meeting, five Ashley residents indicated their support for the project’s go-ahead.
Fiona Kennedy said a community meeting had been held in November with only a small attendance by the community. She said the results of this meeting could not be considered conclusive of the community’s appetite for the water.
She highlighted the housing crisis being experienced in the shire, and an inability to include Ashley on the shire’s housing strategy due to the town’s lack of water and amenities.
Ashley, only 10 minutes from Moree, is close enough to the town to use its amenities, however, she said the real issue is the need for proper water supply.
“I moved to Ashley five years ago, it is something I was scared about,” she said of the water supply issue, highlighting concerns about replacements costs for bores and the potential for bores to breakdown.
“We can’t live without water.
“If we are trying to encourage growth which is absolutely what council is doing, what the community needs, we need to do everything in our power and make it a place that is desirable to residents and where people want to come to.”
She said Ashley has the space to grow, a great lifestyle and a supportive community.
“It’s an easy village to sell to those coming in,” she said.
Valerie Squires, who owns properties in the town as well as land which could be used for potential subdivisions, also indicated her support.
While connecting to the water supply would come at a great cost for her properties, it is something she strongly supports.
“Water supply would allow land growth,” she told councillors.
Haley and Linus Bouliopoulos were also supportive of the water supply project going ahead, as was resident Nathan Cobb.
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